Day 6: Haven Recovery Center, Preparing for the Soccer
Tournament, and Delivering Seeds
March 17, 2016
 |
| Mama Elijah |
We headed down the bumpy road for breakfast with Mama Elijah
and Rono.
The kids squealed delightfully
in the back as Baba Kigen hit bumps, and Gracie just smiled.
Mama Elijah came running out of the home and
embraced us with her warmth and joy that is contagious.
Thirteen years ago Rono shared with us the
dream he had of a recovery center for those with addictions, and it was
INCREDIBLE to see that dream realized.
We sat in their living room amazed at the story, and then took a tour of Haven Recover Center.
This is a sacred
place where lives are being changed and futures are realized.
 |
| With Rono, Elijah and Samuel |
Matt met with Obadiah and A-STEP sports outreach to discuss
the final weekend of the soccer tournament and the celebration. We had the honor of hearing the founder of
the outreach, Timothy, share his incredible testimony from being a street boy
in one of the hardest slums in Nairobi to seeing sports as a way to bring
children together to talk about their struggles and use their aggressions in
the correct way to now where he has founded an organization to help change the
future for the youth of Kenya. He was
cut with machetes on his head, his brother died, his mother had severe injuries
from being hit by a car and because of it his father told her to leave, and he
ended up with her in one of the hardest slums in Nairobi. Soccer was his outlet, and through many
challenges and circumstances he overcame and began A-STEP. Unbelievable.
It is humbling to partner with him in this soccer tournament, and we
will wait to see what the Lord has in store.
We also organized
 |
| Cameron with Obadiah and Timothy and the donated items we brought |
the MANY
donations of soccer balls, shorts, jerseys, bags, socks, and other items, and
so thankful for those who gave these items and financially for the tournament
to make it all happen.
In the afternoon, Kaylee was invited to join the 4
th
grade class in planting two beds of seeds in the garden.
She presented ten packs of seeds to the
class, and they decided to plant corn, peas, and rainbow carrots.
It’s been amazing for our children to see the
joy in the simple things of life and
Cameron can be found wherever there is a
soccer or volleyball game, Kaylee can be found teaching gymnastics to the
children at the children’s home, and Gracie is always surrounded by doting
children as they want so badly to hold and touch her.
We relish in these moments. Feeling blessed beyond measure.
 |
| Pumping up 50 donated balls! |
 |
| Over 50 athletic shorts donated from our West Linn friends for the street children! |
 |
| Everything needed for the coach's clinic and soccer games! |
 |
| Before inflated...50 donated balls from Willamette United Soccer Club, family and friends!! |
 |
| Over 50 jerseys donated from Tursi's Soccer store in Portland! Amazing!! |
In the afternoon, Kaylee was invited to join the 4th
grade class in planting two beds of seeds in the garden. She presented ten packs of seeds to the
class, and they decided to plant corn, peas, and rainbow carrots. It’s been amazing for our children to see the
joy in the simple things of life and Cameron can be found wherever there is a
soccer or volleyball game, Kaylee can be found teaching gymnastics to the
children at the children’s home, and Gracie is always surrounded by doting
children as they want so badly to hold and touch her. We relish in these moments. Feeling blessed beyond measure.
No comments:
Post a Comment